emjay

I can't say I've been in your boat, but did have a problem with acid reflux when I was too tight. A sure sign. Since you had problems the last go around, make sure the doc isn't filling you too aggressively and if you have any trouble with reflux, get just a small amount taken out to see if that does the trick. My signs of being too tight were: pb 2-3 times a week, acid reflux at night, sliming, could only take small amount of Water at a time, most foods were uncomfortable to eat and a tendency to favor softer foods. When I had reflux, the doc's office suggested to not drink anything for at least 1 hour to 90 minutes before bedtime. No eating at least 2-3 hours before bedtime. Maybe take a Pepcid chewable 1 hour before bed. But really the only thing that helped me was to get .1 cc taken out, and then another .1 cc about a month later. I just wasn't happy with pbing and being uncomfortable eating. It didn't help my weight loss to be so tight and just made me fear eating out with anyone and having problems. I wish you the best! I am so focused right now on maintaining and maybe losing another 3 lbs that the idea of putting all the weight back on with the band would be so disheartening. I really feel for you. Just remember the old band rules and remember until you get to the proper restriction it may take a fair amount of willpower to eat the right volume. Best of luck!

I also get the Dannon vanilla greek yogurt and put a Stevia packet in it to sweeten it up a bit. Then I through some homemade granola on top made with Kashi cereal for added protein and fiber. Seems like I have it every day since I've developed a serious taste for it. And the granola helps keep me "regular". Something else that seriously changed when I got the band.

That's great Bob - milestones are fabulous!

In the future, you may want to try the children's chewables ibuprofen and see if that will cut it. Take with a glass of water to flush it past the band. Otherwise, talk to your doc about getting Rx migraine medication. I take Relpax and it's a small orange pill I have no problems with. Better than being stuck. Sometimes, if I catch it early the ibuprofen will kick it. You can find the chewables at a drug store like CVS or Walgreen's under their own brand. Way cheaper than Motrin.

Honestly Lesia - you are in the hardest part of the journey. Not to say it is all roses from there, but being on a liquid diet or mushies and then soft foods is not fun when the swelling eventually subsides and your appetite comes back. Just remember that when it happens what you are experiencing is normal. Also, if you being to have feelings like "why did I do this to myself", that is pretty normal too. The first several months are tough with adjusting to having the band, not being at the proper restriction and also learning how to deal with head hunger and whatever your issues are with food. I encourage you do get support, perhaps in multiple ways...an exercise buddy/walking buddy, attend support group sessions, involve family members if possible, and also other bandsters since they have a better idea of what you are going through. Keep your Protein intake up, try and get in adequate Fiber which helps to keep you satiated also, and remember there are alot of people on here happy to answer any questions you have. I wish you the very best and all the success you deserve! Congratulations on the start of your new life!

Get a small unfill. .2 as Leigha suggested, or .1 or .3. Discuss this with you doctor. He/she may want to do a flouro to make sure with pb'ing you haven't had a band slip. Don't equate an unfill with eating more. That isn't necessarily true. I didn't eat more after an unfill either. Just was able to tolerate different foods and still stay satiated without having any more problems. If you want to have your band in for keeps, don't keep yourself too tight, you're just setting yourself up for trouble.

Warm fluids. And drink drink drink if you can. Dehydration tightens my band right up. Also alcohol does it since it is dehydrating. I went out friday night and had a little too much to drink and I've been tight ever since. Travel does make me tighter so the idea of traveling wouldn't appeal to me either. Any way you can call your physician's office and see if they can get you a referral in China? Just a thought. They maybe able to check credentials of doctors better than you can as a "layperson". Keep to softer foods if possible to avoid the possibility of getting stuck. If you have access to ibuprofen (chewables preferably) you may want to take some with plenty of water of course to see if there is any swelling issues. I don't know if that's okay with breastfeeding, you probably do better than I. Tough to be in your situation, I wish you luck!

It is great that you are writing about your journey. I follow several that are great inspirations. You can find them on my blog...posted below. Catherine's is great, Drazil hilarious, ...In the land of cheese & sunkist is also funny and inspirational. Actually I enjoy all the WL blogs I follow. It's a great way to keep your head in the game. Best of luck!

Congratulations on your weight loss and meeting you to be husband! So many amazing things start happening when you feel better and are motivated to change. I wish you both the very best!

Glad you checked that out. 250 is dangerously low. Now you can concentrate on being a "loser" :smile2: Best of luck girl!

I take children's chewable ibuprofen (at Walgreens or CVS) when I get a headache. Take with a fair amount of water and it should be just fine. Don't have to worry about any pills getting stuck and the fluid helps to slide it right past the band so your stomach isn't irritated.

Ms_C - it's somewhat normal to have feelings like this when you are losing so slowly and have been only a few months along in the process. The first several months are very difficult because it's not only about waiting to get the proper restriction level you need but also the time it takes mentally to adjust to the changes you have to make and how you are going to be able to live with the band. Yes, the band is not for everyone, however, you may just have to ask yourself, how bad do you want to lose weight? How much do you want to be healthier and be physically able to enjoy being active? It takes a fair amount of willpower to make the right choices in foods, but also it helps to have a very supportive person that can encourage and motivate you into being more active. A workout buddy, spouse, friend, co-worker...someone that can prod you to go walking even if you don't feel like it. Try and mix up being active...whether it's for a walk, hike, elliptical, swim, bike...whatever. It helps tremondously. I wouldn't be where I am without the support and encouragement of my husband. We make it a point to do something active every day. It has helps him also. It really does take time to make lifestyle changes. Start by focusing on eating better, then increase your activity level gradually. Try and focus on the positive results that are going to happen if you take the correct steps to get there. Support group meetings can be very helpful...even if it's a couple of people who meet who live nearby. It's talking about what it's like to be a bandster, helpful tips on eating, what changes you may find that happen (either physically, socially, psychologically). Don't feel like you are alone in this. Reach out to your doctor's office for guidance if you need to. I guess what I'm saying is, don't give up too soon. It is a slow and long process. But remember 1 lb a week is 52 lbs a year. Nothing to sneeze at. Every lb is a celebration if it stays off. Good luck to you :smile2:

I too have had issues eating out. Usually it's my own stupidity for trying to not hold everyone up while I eat and try and eat too fast. It's only happened twice, but enough that it does cause a little concern. Now it's just trying to be more mindful of what I order and how much time we have to eat. If we are in a rush, I order very little, or take it to go, or pack a snack so I can eat at leisure. Never hurts to have a small bag of nuts, granola or a 100 calorie pack in the bottom of your purse.

The best way to get added Protein is by supplements. I have an unjury chocolate shake in the morning with skim milk. In the afternoon I mix a scoop of unflavored Unjury with Crystal Light lemonade for a total of 50 grams of protein just from my liquids. Alot of physicians don't like bandsters to supplement with Protein shakes, but in all honesty, it's what has helped me maintain and build muscle tone and also has increased my weight loss while decreasing my appetite. My doc seems to feel like if this is working for me (and it has), then continue doing it and sees no problem with it. 250 calories a day is insanely low. I get around 1400-1500 calories day. 2 protein shakes like the above is around 410 calories a day in liquids, but well worth it to me for the benefit I'm getting. If you really don't feel like you can eat anymore, than try liquid supplements until you are able to. It will help you feel better and not so exhausted. You don't want to your body to get accustomed to living on such a low calorie count - it can wreak havoc with your metabolism.

You know CarrieLynn, just because you're a slow loser doesn't mean you're a failure in any way shape or form. (Not that you said you were, but it's hard not to compare to others). Just keep doing what you're doing and as far as the negative feedback, let them eat your dust all the way to skinnyville. That is the ultimate revenge. I wish you the very best on your journey and am glad you have support and people you can talk to about being banded. Those who aren't really have no clue. It may not be the same as before, but the result is a whole lot of worth it!

I really think eating in a rush probably did it to you. Small bite of rice haven't bothered me - though I don't eat much of it. The few times I've pb'ed, it's been when I was in a hurry, or eating on the road with others and trying to finish when they did. I would end up paying for it. Many times when you're in a hurry, your not as mindful of what you are doing, how fast your eating, or how big of bites your taking, or you just eat the wrong things because they are convenient or the menu is limited. So, just be cautious when you are rushing and maybe have some healthy snacks packed in case of times like this. But just to be cautious, take it easy the next time you try rice and eat it slowly in small bites.

Robyn & Molly - jen is right. Concentrate on getting in your Protein. You may want to supplement with shakes if needed. I know that doesn't help "fill" you, but it can help curb the hunger. You may also want to add a little Benefiber to your Water...the added fiber helps keep you full also. Bandster Hell is difficult until you get to the proper restriction. Right now for you is the time to concentrate on what you are eating. Whenever you are hungry, try to go for nutritional items with protein, fiber and a low to moderate fat intake. Avoid processed carbs in "white" foods (flour, sugar, rice, Pasta, potatoes). Try for whole grain toast instead of white. More importantly, keep healthy Snacks with you in case of the munchies. Right now it may be more helpful to eat 5 small meals a day vs. 3 meals a day and a snack to avoid getting too hungry between meals. It is the hardest part of the journey short of the liquid diet phase. And being in school can make it more difficult. So, keep healthy items on hand if you're in a dorm. You'll get through it, and when you get to the proper restriction, the weightloss should pick up. Just hang in there!

I eat the 100 calorie bags with no problems. I wouldn't go eating a ton of it, but it was never mentioned as a "can't have" item from my doc. Moderation can't hurt you.

Congratulations - isn't is great to be in single digits? Enjoy all your hard work!

I drink Water, Crystal Light, Minute Maid Lemonade (I'll have to try the Spenda-sweetened strawberries in it - that's sounds wonderful), and also Ocean Spray Diet Cranberry, Diet Grape, or Diet Blueberry juice. I was also a 25-year Diet Coke fanatic and gave it up a couple of weeks before surgery. I don't miss it now, but occasionally I'll miss a real Coke on a hot, humid day when I've been exercising. The one time I tried it, I had horrible heartburn. So, the memory will have to do. I'm not a water lover, but do drink several glasses a day. I guess I don't miss soft drinks as much as I miss the convenience of a can. The Minute Maid comes in handy.

Never had a problem before the band, but now, I can hang with the rest of them. It's almost like the air in my stomach has to get out when replaced with food, so after every couple of bites I need to belch. Luckily, I can keep it under my breath when I'm out in social occasions.

Apples are uncomfortable for me to eat. I can eat them with the skin on, but it usually goes brown before I can eat the whole thing. I usually just have a couple of slices once in awhile if I can get someone else to eat the rest. I just have to really take my time in eating them and chewing well. Even then I don't get all warm and fuzzy in the process. More like pressure. So it's something I don't gravitate to if I want fruit.

It is amazing that such a small amount can make a huge difference. I too was overfilled for about 6-8 weeks. I had .1cc taken out the first time and still felt like I was pbing, sliming too much and that eating was too uncomfortable than it should be. So I had another .1 cc taken out and all is great with the world. No more pbing, sliming, I can eat any type of food (just some better than others), but with the same volume as before. So I suggest to anyone who is feeling a little too tight (symptoms - acid reflux - especially at night, pbing, sliming, many foods you can't eat) to consider a very small unfill. It was very hard for me to get this done as I was concerned I would be able to eat alot more and slow my weight loss, but it actually helped. I was able to eat the right foods instead of what just went down well. And heck why open yourself up to having band problems like a slippage or dilation? I'm glad you feel better about your unfill. From what I read alot here on the boards I wish others would consider it also to avoid alot of the problems they seem to experience. But it really is a matter of preference how tight you want your band. I just really want to take care of mine so I don't have complications.

I just asked to join also...please add. jmj....embarqmail.com

Reflux is a big sign of the band being too tight. Try not drinking anything 1 hour before bedtime and not eating anything at least 2-3 hours before bedtime. If you are still getting the reflux, then a small unfill may be in order. I normally don't get it unless I eat close to bedtime and then I'll wake up 4-5 hours later coughing...and my band is on the loose side. Try and see if this helps, otherwise don't be afraid to get a small unfill...being too tight isn't good!